Budda Super Drive 80 Head

I bought a 2002 Budda SD 80 head as quickly as I could, hence I got #23. This head has 2 channels, 6 knobs (3 of which have push-pull features), and jacks for speaker out (2, with an ohm selector switch), effects loop, and slave (with a volume knob). I got it with the matching 4x12 Budda cabinet loaded with the custom Eminence speaker that Budda employs. This amp is used for recording, rehearsal, and performance. I often run it with the outside poer tubes removed, as its power can be astounding.

I run a variety of guitars through this monster...a stock Les Paul with Burstbuckers (1 and 2), a modded LP with Duncans (Pearly Gates and Custom 5), a Kramer Pacer Imperial with Duncan Livewires, and a G&L Fullerton with Duncan Vintage Rails, Classic Stack, and Li'l Screamin' Demon pickups. Its clean channel is everything people love about Fender clean sounds...warm, creamy, and excellent across the frequency range. The distortion I run very hot, and the amp has a fantastic tone that makes me think of a cranked Plexi combined with the best JCM 800 gain. There is a minor noise issue, the amp seems very picky about what pedals one runs into it...ditto with wireless setups. Aside from that, however, the amp is fantastic! The clean headroom is beyond my pain threshold, and the distortion keeps the necesary clarity to keep from mudding up...something I hated about my former Mesa amps. The range is from pristine, sparkling cleans through 80's Heavy Metal. Death/Thrash would likely need a pedal for the right amount of distortion.

This amp has never put a foot wrong...I've replaced tubes out of paranoia more than necessity.

I've gotten excellent and quick responses to my queries on the occasions I've had one. The amp has never had a warranty or service issue.

It's simple, it's packed full of great tones, it has astounding presence even when played against higher-output amps (it keeps pace with my buddy's Triple Rectifier constantly), and can tonally flatten most of its competition. My quibbles are minor, mostly stuff like the lack of casters on the cab (I fixed this myself) and that I prefer switches and seperate knobs more than concentric/push-pull stuff. I bought this from a wall of amps that had Mesas, Dr. Z, Laneys, and other killer stuff to compare it to. I got the best one, a feeling that has never abated.

I'd replace it if it were stolen/destroyed, no question.

2001 superdriveII. 80 watts, 2 footswitchable channels. It has 1 shared eq, a master volume and 2 separate gains for each channel. The rhythm channel works like a plexi with a master volume. When you turn up the rhythm gain, the volume of that channel goes up as well. The lead channels volume is the master volume and the gain just increases well... the gain saturation. There is a bright pull/push option on the rhythm gain pot. I keep it on all the time for that vox sparkle. There is also modern push/pull option on the mid pot which i find to be useless for my taste. If they could add another master volume to the rhythm channel without sacrificing the tone I would love it because if I want the rhythm channel to be a little dirty it ends up being way louder than the lead channel. This is an issue with most superdrive owners but it really doesnt bother me because I dont really try to use the amp as a clean channel/dirty channel amp and besides, by using the volume pot on your guitar, the superdrive performs like a plexi and cleans up beautifully without getting muddy at all. Last but not least there is no need to bias when changing tubes, just get a matched set and youre good to go!

Using a seymour duncan 59' humbucker that splits with a mini toggle in the bridge and a vintage noiseless single coil in the neck position, I have a wide spectrum of tones that I can create. The rhythm channel goes from clean to dirty/clean to a cranked vox tone. Lead channel goes from a great high gain (bus still vintage sounding) to the best dirty/clean tone I have ever heard when you roll down the volume pot on your guitar. With the single coil, incredible blues lead tone is right there and no the rhythm channel I nail that palm muted tone of The Cars right on the dot. This amp is incredibly dynamic and makes me want to play longer.

Dont know yet, had a superdrive 30 and it was flawless.

Great guys, easy to talk to. It should be standard how well the budda guys treat ya.

With BUDDA its the tone that counts and I am a believer. Not to mention the amp looks damn stylish. Would definitely get another if i lost it or if it was stolen.